Commencement

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and traditionally lasts just under two hours (ending approximately 11:45 a.m.).  Once the platform party has exited and the ceremony has officially concluded, you may greet your guests.

Sign language interpreters will be present during the ceremony.

Graduates are requested to register for commencement online by completing the Commencement Registration form. Please note: Registering for the ceremony is not a reservation for guest seating.

Be sure to submit a Graduation Application for each degree or certificate you are earning. If you submit a graduation application by April 30, your name will be listed in the Commencement Program List. If you apply after April 30, you can still participate in the Ceremony and your name will be read during the Ceremony but it will not appear in the Commencement Program.

Students earning two-year degrees are eligible to receive Graduation High and Highest Honors, which may be listed in the Commencement Program.  (Certificate-only students are not eligible for Graduation honors). Honors are based on overall College Level Grade Point Average. Honors are as follows: 3.75-3.89 GPA High Honor earns Silver Cord; 3.9-4.0 GPA Highest Honor earns White Cord. Students receiving honors will receive information from Enrollment Services regarding picking up honor cords.

Disabled parking is available in areas of the main parking lots (B and C) closest to Red Square.

Drop-off near the event
Entering McCann Plaza, continue straight, past the parking booth and the entrances to the parking lots. Enter the loop separated by a stand of trees and stop near the Native American Welcome Woman statue. For those using a wheelchair, there is a car ramp just before the bus stop. Signs and staff will be present to show you to seating set aside for disabled guests.

Many of the ADA features are shown on the Evergreen Campus Map.

Outdoor Disability Seating Area
Chairs are set aside for guests, including wheelchair spaces, and up to two companions. This special section is located on the side of Red Square closest to Purce Hall directly behind the roped section for graduating students.

Indoor seating
Those who wish to sit inside may watch the ceremony broadcast in classrooms and lecture halls in Purce Hall.

On the day of the Ceremony, Graduates are required to check in between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. in the courtyard near the Campus Activities Building.

Graduates: Check-in at the tables and pick up your Name/Degree/Certificate Cards. Line-up for the Ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. and lasts approximately 2 hours.

All graduates participating in the Commencement Ceremony will wear the traditional cap and gown.

Student regalia will be in stock by early April in the SPSCC Bookstore, located in the Student Union Building (SUB), Building 27.

Prices:
Cap/gown/tassel set - $41.98
Extra Caps - $7.98
Extra Tassel - $6.48
Running Start Cords - $14.98

Staff members will help graduates line up for the processional. Plan to take all items with you to the Ceremony and do not leave personal items behind. Cap tassels should be worn on the right side of your cap. Graduates will receive further instructions when checking in for their name cards and ushers will provide direction throughout the ceremony.

Professional photographers will offer individual sessions. They will also take a photo of each graduate crossing the stage and will send an email to students’ SPSCC email address with information for ordering photographs online.

The ceremony will be recorded by Thurston Community Media (TCTV).